Sleep Apnea Therapy – Carlsbad, CA

Sleep Apnea Overview

There are a few different types of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. In OSA, the soft tissues in the mouth or throat block the airway at night, leading to short pauses in breathing. Individuals with mild sleep apnea may stop breathing just a few times each hour, but in severe cases, the pauses in breathing may occur hundreds of times each night.

Sleep apnea makes it impossible for its sufferers to get high-quality rest. It also decreases blood oxygen levels and increases the risk of a number of other health problems, including heart disease, obesity, and dementia.

Anyone, regardless of their age, fitness level, or gender, can develop OSA. However, there are certain groups who are at a higher risk; OSA is most common in men and postmenopausal women. Smoking, obesity, and structural defects in the mouth and jaw are other significant risk factors.

Recognizing Sleep Apnea

Loud, persistent snoring is one of the key indicators of sleep apnea. However, these two conditions do not always go hand in hand. Other symptoms that point to possible OSA include:

• Restless sleep or insomnia
• Frequently waking up with a sore throat and/or headache
• Frequent nighttime urination
• Daytime exhaustion
• Trouble concentrating
• Slowed reflexes
• Depression or other mood disorders
• Sexual dysfunction

If you believe you have sleep apnea, schedule a sleep study at a local laboratory. A machine will monitor your breathing and other vital statistics for a night. Then, an expert will interpret your results and let you know if OSA is the cause of your problems. If it is, relief is in sight!

Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A CPAP machine, which uses pressurized air to keep the airway open at night, is the most common treatment for OSA — but it is not the only treatment. In our dental office, we offer oral appliance therapy. An oral appliance for sleep apnea resembles a mouthguard that you would wear for sports. It is a custom-made device that gently repositions the jaw at night, thus allowing for freer airflow. An oral appliance is much quieter and more portable than a CPAP machine.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Have you recently been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, or would you like to learn more about this condition and how we can treat it? Contact your sleep apnea dentist in Carlsbad today. We look forward to helping you enjoy quieter, more refreshing rest.